Pirates Minor League Updates: New List; Yorke Next Big-League Promotion?

This is one in a weekly update on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ top 10 prospects.

Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Termarr Johnson now has 11 games under his belt since he was promoted to Double-A Altoona. After a slow start, the 2022 first-rounder caught heat at the plate in his final two games of the week.

On Sunday, the Pirates promoted Billy Cook for his MLB debut. Cook was one of two position-player prospects acquired at the trade deadline. The other was Nick Yorke, who also continues to push for a promotion.

Full updates on the top 10:

1. RHP Bubba Chandler (Triple-A Indianapolis)

• Weekly stats: 1-0, 5.40 ERA, five innings, four runs (three earned), five walks, eight strikeouts, one appearance/one start
• 2024 stats (AAA) : 3-0, 1.93 ERA, 28 innings, eight runs (six earned), 18 hits, 11 walks, 36 strikeouts, five appearances/five starts

Despite battling command issues, Chandler stayed perfect in getting the win against Toledo. He’s held opponents to a .178 batting average since his promotion to Indy.

2. INF Termarr Johnson (Double-A Altoona)

• Weekly stats: .238/.227/.429, 5 for 21, one double, one home run, two RBIs, five games
• 2024 stats (AA): .184/.273/.368, 7 for 38, one double, two home runs, four RBIs, one steal, 11 games

All of Johnson’s damage came in his last two games. In his last nine at-bats, Johnson has five hits, including a double and a home run. He’ll look to continue his recent momentum over the Curve’s final six games of the season.

3. RHP Braxton Ashcraft (Triple-A Indianapolis)

• Weekly stats: *DID NOT PITCH THIS WEEK
• 2024 stats (AAA): 3-2, 2.84 ERA, 73 innings, 26 runs (23 earned), 66 hits, 12 walks, 77 Strikeouts, 16 appearances/13 starts

Ashcraft returned from the injured list and made a relief appearance on Aug. 30 but didn’t pitch this past week.

4. RHP Thomas Harrington (Triple-A Indianapolis)

• Weekly stats: 0-0, 3.00 ERA, six innings, two runs, four hits, no walks, five strikeouts, one appearance/one start
• 2024 stats (AAA): 3-1, 3.67 ERA, 34.1 innings, 14 runs, 25 hits, four walks, 29 strikeouts, six appearances/six starts

Harrington continues to feature his impeccable control in another strong outing at Triple-A.

5. INF/OF Nick Yorke (Triple-A Indianapolis)

• Weekly stats: .400/.520/.600, 8 for 20, four doubles, one RBI, two steals, five games
• 2024 stats (Indianapolis): .359/.428/.508, 46 for 128, 16 doubles, one home run, 21 RBIs, six steals, 34 games

Yorke continues to rack up doubles and he hit his first homer with Indianapolis since our latest update. He’s been impressive since joining the organization and should join Cook in the big leagues with the Pirates.

6. LHP Anthony Solometo (Double-A Altoona)

• Weekly stats: 0-1, 54.00 ERA, one inning, six runs, six hits, one walk, no strikeouts, one appearance/one start
• 2024 stats (AA): 1-7, 6.37 ERA, 53.2 innings, 39 runs (38 earned), 51 hits, 34 walks, 42 strikeouts, 19 appearances/16 starts

One outing after having his best start of the season, Solometo had his worst. It’s been a tough season for the Pirates’ left-handed pitching prospect.

7. LHP Hunter Barco (Double-A Altoona)

• Weekly stats: *DID NOT PITCH: ON  7-DAY INJURED LIST (LEFT LEG)
• 2024 stats (A+, AA): 4-2, 3.27 ERA, 66 innings, 24 runs, 48 hits, 22 walks, 83 strikeouts, 18 appearances/16 starts

Barco remains on the injured list since exiting his second Double-A start early.

8. INF Mitch Jebb (High-A Greensboro)

• Weekly stats: .188/.263/.375, 3 for 16, one double, one triple, one RBI, two steals, five games
• 2024 stats: .253/.341/.355, 109 for 431, 12 doubles, seven triples, six home runs, 42 RBIs, 43 steals, 113 games

Jebb concluded the regular season with a subpar showing at the plate. Up next for Greensboro is the division series against the Hudson Valley Renegades.

9. RHP Zander Mueth (Low-A Bradenton)

• Weekly stats: 0-1, 3.86 ERA, seven innings, three runs, one hit, three walks, seven strikeouts/two appearances/two starts
• 2024 stats (A-): 1-3, 3.97 ERA, 22.2 innings, 16 runs (10 earned), eight hits, 24 walks, 23 strikeouts, seven appearances/seven starts.

Mueth battled control issues after getting to Bradenton but held batters to a .110 batting average. The Marauders’ season has concluded.

10. INF Yordany De Los Santos (Low-A Bradenton)

• Weekly stats: .214/.267/.429, 3 for 14, one home run, three RBIs, two steals, four games
• 2024 stats (A-): .195/.300/.264, 17 for 87, three doubles, one home run, nine RBIs, 10 steals, 25 games

De Los Santos ended his season with Bradenton on a high note by clubbing his first home run since joining the Marauders.

*NOTE: Since Konnor Griffin, Wyatt Sanford and Levi Sterling have yet to make their pro debuts. This list represents the top 10 prospects who have played this season.